An Archer. Anatomical Figure. Écorché 17th century

This écorché sculpture, or anatomical figure, was crafted by an anonymous artist. The material is likely bronze, perhaps cast in multiple sections and then assembled. The high degree of detail suggests a lost-wax process, involving careful modeling of the original form in wax. This wasn’t simply an aesthetic exercise; it was a way of understanding the human body, a tradition reaching back to the Renaissance. Notice how the artist has meticulously revealed the musculature, stripping away the skin to expose the intricate network beneath. It speaks to a deep engagement with anatomical study. The sculpture stands as a testament to the knowledge and skill involved in its creation. The translation of scientific knowledge into sculptural form collapses the boundaries between art, science, and craft. The pursuit of knowledge through making, reminds us of the value of material understanding in all fields of endeavor.